I can’t respond to the many specific complaints about Wal-Mart–though, in my opinion, most are general complaints about “large stores” and the American consumer having too many purchasing options–as if that is a bad thing.

As to Wal-Mart being the source of ills in modern society, including not paying “living wages” (see comments by vagabondo) and causing small American manufacturing businesses to close, this would have happened with or without Wal-Mart.

Naturally, the US economy faces significant competition. We’re not competitive and likely will never obtain the good jobs that were described above . . . making things much worse, businesses face tremendous regulations, high taxes, insane goverment spending, and an aging workforce.

Again, all of this is present with or without Wal-Mart. Targeting Wal-Mart and requiring them to substantially increase benefits will not create new, good jobs; it will only raise prices for the working American consumer and cause Wal-Mart to fire thousands of very low-skilled employees.